taking care of pets for Your Pet
If you're a puppy, or an old age pet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital throughout your pet's life. Puppies and kittens require routine checks to monitor their growth and develop immunity.
Pet insurance plans typically provide pet wellness coverage as an add-on. Wellness coverage for pets differs from pet insurance on many levels.
Vaccinations
Vaccines are among the greatest advancements in medicine. They are believed to be responsible for saving more lives than other medical treatments. This is because they prevent diseases that could otherwise be life-threatening, or cause serious and prolonged illness, suffering, and death. In the majority of instances, prevention is more effective and cost-effective than treatment.
Immunizations are an essential part of pet care, and they can aid in preventing serious diseases in dogs and cats as well as humans. Vaccines contain microorganisms which have been killed or altered and then administered to the body to increase the immune response. This way the immune system is able to identify and fight the pathogen without having to undergo the more severe effects of illness or infection.
Kittens and puppies should be given a complete set of vaccinations during the early stages of development in order to build a strong immune system against infectious diseases. Our veterinarian will advise the right vaccines for your pet based on their age and its lifestyle.
Rabies, distemper, and parvovirus are all considered to be essential vaccines. These are considered essential for all dogs and cats, as they guard against dangerous infections that can be transmitted to people. The core vaccines are administered in two injections at the time of kittenhood or pup, and then boosters are given every year.
Non-core vaccinations are recommended in accordance with the type of lifestyle and risk factors. Dogs who go to grooming and boarding kennels, dog parks and training classes, for example, may need to be vaccinated.
All pets are generally advised to get the hepatitis A vaccine as well as hepatitis B and C. These help to stop a variety of deadly diseases that could be transmitted from animals to people and vice versa. A combination vaccine, called a A2PP or FVRCP for dogs and cats respectively, protects against most common infections that can be passed between these species. The lyme disease vaccine which is recommended for dogs that are frequently in areas where deer are frequently encountered, guards against bites of the untruly named deer tick which can trigger the severe bacteria-related infection that is known as Lyme disease.
Fecal Exam
A fecal examination, sometimes known as a fecal floatation is a microscopic examination of your pet's stools. This gives your veterinarian the opportunity to detect intestinal parasites like whipworms, roundworms and hookworms, and giardia that are difficult to identify and could affect your pet's health. They may also transmit to other pets and family members.
There are several methods to collect the fecal sample. Your vet may use the specialized fecal loop, which is inserted into the rectum and pulled back to obtain an fecal sample. This method is particularly useful for identifying cysts and worms. Your doctor can perform a direct test by putting an amount of the sample on a microscope glass. This test comes with the disadvantage that it will only be reliable in the absence of cells or fat in the sample.
A centrifugal flotation test can be another method. The feces are mixed with a special solution to test for parasite eggs. The eggs will float and can be visualized under microscope. The benefit of this method is that it's more sensitive than a direct smear, however, the results are still dependent on the specifics of the procedure and specimen attributes.
Regular fecal checks are the best way to be sure your pet does not have an intestinal parasite infection which could impact their health and can be transmitted to other pets or family members. These infections can cause discomfort for your pet, and can even cause more serious issues that require treatment. Certain intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms can be transferred to humans. This poses a serious health threat.
It is essential to include fecal testing in your pet's routine of well-being. Every pet should undergo fecal testing at least once a year. This is more frequent for animals that are puppies or living in an environment that is prone to parasites. Intestinal parasites are a major cause of illness in pets that can cause diarrhea and weight loss as well as vomiting. In addition to detecting parasites the fecal test may also identify blood or other abnormalities which could be a sign of illness or an ongoing infection.
Dental Exam
Pet dental care is a crucial aspect of wellness. Without proper dental care teeth of pets could get infected, which can lead to other health issues, such as tooth decay, bad breath, and even gum disease. These conditions develop when tartar forms on the teeth, affecting the surrounding tissues. The buildup can also move through the bloodstream to other organs like kidneys, the heart, and liver. This can increase the risk of developing serious diseases and cause inflammation. Regular dental cleanings and brushing can help keep your pet's dental health in check.
During the dental exam, your veterinarian will evaluate your pet's mouth for signs of plaque and tartar. The veterinarian will use an instrument for scaling to eliminate the tartar and the probe will be used to examine for pockets under the gumline where periodontal diseases begin. To look at the roots and bones of the teeth the X-rays are taken from the entire mouth.
Dental exams should be scheduled at least every year, but more frequent exams are advised for those at risk for dental disease or are in their senior years. In addition to a thorough physical evaluation, the vet will discuss your pet's diet, weight, and behavior with you. The vet can provide you with information about any changes you observe in your pet. They may recommend additional tests or treatment if necessary.
Wellness plans can be a great way to save money and fund preventive procedures, like dental cleanings and heartworm tests. These plans are similar to traditional pet insurance, however, they reimburse pre-determined medical expenses instead of paying for the entire visit. Our veterinarians are available to review the different plans with you.
Contact our Spring Hill veterinarians to schedule an appointment today! We'll conduct a wellness exam as well as update vaccinations and suggest any other preventive measures your pet needs. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Parasite Control
If they are of the internal or external kind, parasites are a variety of organisms that feed on your pet, depriving her of vital nutrients. They can also harm her organs and body systems, leading to various unpleasant symptoms. In extreme cases, certain parasites (such as heartworms) can be fatal. Many people believe that parasites are a normal part of being a pet parent, this does not necessarily have to be the situation. Our team of vets knows what parasites are prevalent in your area and will describe how they could affect your pet.
Effective control of parasites in pets can drastically reduce the risk of transmission of disease to other pets in the home as well as humans. This means regularly administering preventative treatments for ticks and fleas all year round, wearing a tick collar whenever possible and grooming your pet often, particularly after she has been outside. Examining for signs of a parasite infestation that include chewing, scratching, or licking will help to ensure that your pet is not afflicted with these pests.
Internal parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms are usually acquired by accident through the ingestion of parasite eggs that have been discovered in areas that are contaminated by excrement from animals suffering from infection. These parasites can also be zoonotic. This means that they can be transmitted from pets to humans (and the reverse).
Ectoparasites like ticks and fleas are more likely to be present in urban areas with large pet populations, but they can be found in homes of all kinds. Fleas are known to cause severe allergic reactions and transmit vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Ticks can also be a problem. They can cause allergic reactions, cause itching and cause pain in pets, and can transmit vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease to humans.
All shelter pets must be treated with a basic external-internal parasite control protocol when they are first brought to the shelter. This should include a preventative treatment that includes an oral dewormer that works against roundworms, hookworms, and ticks and fleas (Nemex or Strongid is the most commonly used drug).